If you’re already using BMC’s Control-M, you’ve likely seen the buzz around the latest release – Control-M 21.3. Alongside it comes an exciting new addition: Jett, the SaaS-based Generative AI Advisor. Plus, there’s major enhancements to Managed File Transfer (MFT) and MFT Enterprise and expanded plug-in offerings for enterprise apps and workflow tools.
This new version focuses on making your experience even better, stronger security, and more seamless integration options. Control-M continues to evolve with smarter usability – the latest release brings some major upgrades that make it easier to manage, more secure, and even more user-friendly:
To help you cut through the noise, we’ve pulled together a quick overview of the key updates – featuring insights from our Technical Director and resident Control-M expert, Adam Lovick.
Let’s dive in.
1. One View for Everything
Manage both on-prem and SaaS workflows in a single, unified view, enhancing user experience – making it simpler to transition and optimise your operations than ever.
User feedback:
Gartner’s website noted improvements in navigation and accessibility stating: “The user interface is modern and web-based, making it easier to navigate compared to older versions of Control-M.” Overall feedback from users on Reddit expressed satisfaction, and the interface has been well-received for its user-friendly design.
Adam’s Thoughts:
Evolution with Trade-offs: Control-M 21.3 marks a continued shift toward a fully web-based interface, with the Windows client being deprecated (likely ending at version 9.0.22). While the web client has matured significantly – offering a cleaner, more modern experience—long-time users will notice a learning curve. The interface is not just a visual refresh but a functional departure from the classic client, and workflows that were once quick and intuitive may now feel slower or less accessible until users adapt.
Administration remains the area where the web interface still needs to catch up. While improvements are ongoing, certain advanced configurations and diagnostics still feel more efficient in the legacy client. BMC is clearly investing in closing these gaps, and the long-term direction is promising, but for now, power users may find the transition introduces some operational friction.
2. Stronger Security with CyberArk
Control-M now integrates with CyberArk Vault, by centralising the management of access secrets. This nicely keeps your credentials and secrets safe, secure, and compliant with industry standards.
User feedback:
Users across the BMC Community consistently highlight the value of this integration, particularly its robust security features that support regulatory compliance. As one reviewer wrote, “The integration with other security tools is seamless, and it’s been instrumental in helping us meet regulations like GDPR and PCI DSS”, (Gartner).
Adam’s Thoughts:
While CyberArk remains a widely used solution for privileged access management, it is by no means the only option in the ecosystem. The need for flexibility and vendor-agnostic integrations is growing, and Control-M users are increasingly looking to incorporate alternative solutions into their security posture.
HashiCorp Vault stands out as a prominent alternative, offering a robust secrets management platform that aligns well with modern DevOps practices. BMC has acknowledged this demand, and native integration with HashiCorp Vault is anticipated in the near future—bringing greater choice and interoperability for enterprises seeking a more open, flexible security model.
3. Smarter Web Experience
The web UI in Control-M just got more powerful! It offers a more intuitive and dynamic user experience with easier configuration, better monitoring, and a cleaner design making everyday tasks faster and smoother.
User feedback:
Users on the BMC Community forum have appreciated its stability and resilience, While the interface is praised, there’s an expressed desire for advancements in AI capabilities: “Excellent tool. Stable, resilient, user-friendly interface, but needs to evolve mainly in AI data analysis.”
Adam’s Thoughts:
Control-M’s web interface has become a rich and comprehensive tool, now in a strong position to replace the legacy Windows client in most use cases. While the most common complaint remains that updates aren’t reflected immediately in the interface, the overall functionality and user experience have matured considerably—making it a viable central platform for workload orchestration.
In fact, many organisations, like those using Ortom8, have opted to remove client access altogether for end users, relying solely on the web interface for control and administration. This centralised model not only simplifies governance but also reduces the complexity of client management, reinforcing the web UI as a strategic asset in operational efficiency.
4. Expanded Plug-in Availability
Control-M Expands Enterprise Integration: Control-M continues to strengthen its role in enterprise automation with expanded plug-in support for key platforms like Oracle E-Business Suite and PeopleSoft.
These plug-ins, now fully available via the Control-M Web interface make it easier than ever to automate and orchestrate core business processes. For organisations relying on these systems, this means faster deployment, centralised management, and enhanced security through modern encryption standards.
Control-M Embraces Modern Data Workflows with Airflow Plug-in: The new Control-M for Airflow plug-in allows teams to orchestrate, monitor, and manage Apache Airflow DAGs directly within the Control-M platform.
This integration bridges traditional scheduling with modern, cloud-native data pipelines—giving DevOps and DataOps teams a single, powerful interface for managing end-to-end workflows. It’s a smart move for organisations looking to unify legacy and modern tools without compromising visibility or control.
User feedback:
Users on PeerSpot have found Control-M’s plug-ins for platforms like PeopleSoft and Oracle E-Business Suite to be powerful and effective for integration and automation. One reviewer noted, “It is simple to create, integrate, and automate data pipelines and to ingest data from different platforms.” However, others have pointed out room for improvement, especially around installation, with one user saying, “Currently there is no way to do it via Control-M Configuration Manager… if BMC could provide an option, it would reduce a lot of manual work.”
Adam’s Thoughts:
Apache Airflow is a powerful and respected tool in its own right—well-suited for orchestrating data pipelines and workflows. However, it often operates in isolation, requiring additional effort to integrate with broader enterprise systems and processes.
Control-M addresses this gap by integrating Airflow seamlessly into the wider operational landscape. It allows organizations to manage Airflow alongside other workflows—from mainframe jobs to cloud-native applications—within a single, unified orchestration platform. This creates a more cohesive, enterprise-grade approach to automation.
5. Jett
Jett makes managing your workflows easier and more efficient. With its intuitive interface, you can ask natural questions and get quick, accurate answers without needing coding or deep system knowledge. It offers instant insights through both text and visuals, making it simple to understand what’s happening in your workflows. Jett helps you spot problems fast by identifying issues, user actions, and changes, which is perfect for speeding up troubleshooting. It also ensures compliance by allowing you to effortlessly check workflow history for audit and compliance purposes. Additionally, Jett helps optimise your workflows by identifying patterns and delays, so you can improve performance and avoid recurring issues – all aimed at simplifying workflow management and boosting operational efficiency within Control-M.
User Feedback:
We couldn’t find any user reviews for this just yet, so watch this space or let us know your own thoughts and experiences.
Adam’s Thoughts:
We are just at the start!
6. What’s New in Control-M MFT and MFT/E (v9.0.21.1 & v9.0.21.2)?
Control-M’s Managed File Transfer tools just got a serious upgrade – making secure file movement across clouds and teams easier than ever.
Enhanced file transfer with stronger data security, including advanced encryption, privacy controls, and detailed access permissions. Seamlessly integrate with cloud platforms like AWS S3, Azure, Google Cloud, and Oracle without extra effort.
The new self-service web interface empowers teams and partners to manage their own file transfers, reducing IT overhead and saving time. Plus, smart automation allows you to set event-based rules to trigger actions automatically, streamlining collaboration with external partners and handling repetitive tasks efficiently.
User Feedback:
Users highlight Control-M’s MFT for its seamless integration with scheduling, addressing critical organisational challenges. As one user puts it, “The best feature that Control-M’s MFT has is the seamless integration across with the scheduling tackling the most critical problem faced by any organisation…” Another user praises its stability and rich feature set, noting, “I have experienced a thirty percent reduction in operational time for developers, increasing efficiency in workflow orchestration design.” However, a common suggestion for improvement is password management, with one user stating, “Password vaulting would be a feature that should be included.”
Adam’s Thoughts:
What began as a straightforward utility for moving files between machines, Control-M Managed File Transfer (MFT) and MFT Enterprise (MFT/E) have evolved into robust, secure, and highly integrated components of enterprise workload automation. No longer limited to basic point-to-point transfers, the solution now supports multiple protocols and encryption standards, ensuring secure delivery of critical data across hybrid environments.
In versions 9.0.21.1 and 9.0.21.2, Control-M MFT/MFT-E not only handles secure file transfers, but does so intelligently—placing files exactly where they need to be, when they need to be there. This capability is tightly integrated with job workflows, meaning data movement becomes an orchestrated part of business processes rather than a separate or siloed function. The result is improved visibility, auditability, and reliability—delivering on both compliance and operational efficiency.
The Last Word
Control-M 21 continues to raise the bar, bringing new features and enhancements that make workload automation more powerful than ever. At Ortom8, we live and breathe Control-M. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to take your platform to the next level, we’re here to help you get the most out of it.
Our range of products and services is designed to seamlessly complement Control-M, from smart enterprise tooling to fully managed support. With scalable pricing and a flexible, consultative approach, we tailor everything to your unique operational needs, ideal for today’s agile and fast-moving businesses.
Want to see it in action?
We’d be happy to show you around. No pressure, no obligation, just a clear view of what’s possible. Use the form below to get in touch, or feel free to connect with us (or Adam) on LinkedIn. We’re always up for a chat about Control-M and what it could mean for your team.
Let us know what you think – we’d love to hear your perspective.
